April 3, 1996 — Sapa

MAGISTRATE SENDS TRUTH COMMISSION ACCUSED TO VALKENBERG

A Port Elizabeth man accused of lying to the Truth Commission about “third force” activities in the Eastern Cape was referred to Valkenberg Hospital for 30 days psychiatric observation by a Cape Town magistrate on Wednesday.

Nzuzo Godfrey Matiwane, 29, of 20 Ncapayi Street, is due to appear in Cape Town Magistrate's Court again on May 2 when magistrate Gerrit Olwage will consider a report on his fitness to stand trial.

Matiwane was arrested last week after the commission laid a charge with Western Cape attorney-general Frank Kahn in terms of the National Promotion of Unity and Reconciliation Act.

The Act states that any person who “willfully furnishes the commission with any information which is false or misleading shall be guilty of an offence”.

Commission deputy-chairman Dr Alex Boraine told a media briefing earlier this week that Matiwane had arrived unannounced at the commission's Johannesburg office last Monday claiming to have vital information about human rights abuses, and saying he feared for his life.

He said Matiwane had immediately been flown to Cape Town under escort and placed in protective custody.

However, following his arrest he no longer qualified for witness protection and was being held in police custody pending the outcome of his case.


© South African Press Association, 1996
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